Collector Mangaoang Theorizes: Customs shuffle due to poll funds

Cebu Customs district collector Lourdes Mangaoang suspects that the elections might have something to do with the effort to remove her from her post.

Mangaoang said that the Bureau of Customs in Cebu has been used by some politician as source of campaign funds in the previous administration.

Although she says that she has no personal knowledge about it, Mangaoang said that this is possibly why some people want her out since the 2007 elections are forthcoming.

"That is only a possibility," she told reporters yesterday.

Mangaoang did not name any politician, but she said they are not from Cebu and they are behind the plan to transfer her to other ports.

Earlier, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña even questioned why non-Cebuano politicians lobbying for the transfer of Mangaoang.

Mangaoang said that these politicians were using "prominent" Cebuano businessmen, who are engaged in illegal transactions like smuggling to earn campaign funds during elections in the previous administration.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Central Visayas governor Robert Go agreed to the theory of Mangaoang.

Go said that if politicians want to get campaign funds, any agency can be their source and not only in the Bureau of Customs.

Go, however said that he doesn't know which businessman in Cebu was referred to by Mangaoang.

Mangaoang alleged that before she came to Cebu, laws were not implemented in the bureau and now that she has implemented it, some businessmen are not happy anymore.

Mangaoang believes that these businessmen, who are engaged in illegal activities, are now exerting effort to get connections in Malacañang for her ouster.

Meanwhile, collector Gracia Zuño Caringal, who was designated to replace Mangaoang, said that she feels bad since her character is being attacked.

"To Atty. Mangaoang, I feel bad you took this personally, and even hit me with intrigues through what seems to be a handful of paid hacks in media. We are just but professionals. At the end of the day, let us accept our assignment," Caringal said in a press statement.

Mangaoang clarified that there is nothing personal against Caringal saying that the law supports her position.

She also denied the alleged hiring of a PR man.

"I will not hire one because I cannot afford and because I believed that I am competent enough to tackle relevant issues," Mangaoang said.

Mangaoang added that the order of Finance Secretary Margarito Teves to hold in abeyance the Customs Personnel Order 169-2006 has strengthened her position that the order is defective and invalid.

CPO 169-2006 contained the order to transfer Mangaoang to the Port of Iloilo and the move of Caringal to Cebu from Subic. Caringal also said that she was glad that Teves held the implementation of the CPO in abeyance "to clear the air and diffuse any tension caused by resistance in Cebu."

Caringal said that as their CEO, Teves knows what is best for the Department of Finance and the BOC with Commissioner Napoleon Morales as their skipper.

CPO 169-2006 was issued by acting Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales on March 31, 2006 reshuffling the 20 customs personnel, but it had no approval from Teves.

Administrative Order 133 signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last December 2005 states that only the Finance Secretary can move, designate and transfer Customs personnel.

Caringal said that in however things will develop from hereon, being a career public servant, she will follow, obey and comply.

"I wish the issue will be resolved soon so we could get down to work, and move on. Be that as it may, I look forward at serving the Port of Cebu," Caringal added.

While Teves ordered to hold in abeyance the reshuffling of customs personnel nationwide, the Court of Appeals in Cebu on the other hand has issued a 60-day temporary restraining order granting a an appeal by Mangaoang.